The Hymn to the Ancestors

Verse 1 (markandeya.96.1)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच स तेन पितृवाक्येन भृशमुद्विग्नमानसः । कन्याभिलाषी विप्रर्षिः परिबभ्राम मेदिनीम् ॥ 96.1 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca sa tena pitṛvākyena bhṛśamudvignamānasaḥ kanyābhilāṣī viprarṣiḥ paribabhrāma medinīm

Markandeya said: That brahmin-sage, his mind greatly troubled by those words of his ancestors, wandered the earth in search of a bride.

Verse 2 (markandeya.96.2)

कन्यामलभमानोऽसौ पितृवाक्याग्निदीपितः । चिन्तामवाप महतीमतीवोद्विग्नमानसः ॥ 96.2 ॥

kanyāmalabhamāno 'sau pitṛvākyāgnidīpitaḥ cintāmavāpa mahatīmatīvodvignamānasaḥ

Unable to find a bride, and burning as if by the fire of his ancestors' words, he fell into deep and exceedingly troubled anxiety.

Verse 3 (markandeya.96.3)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि कथं मे दारसंग्रहः । क्षिप्रं भवेत्पितॄणां यो ममाभ्युदयकारकः ॥ 96.3 ॥

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi kathaṁ me dārasaṁgrahaḥ kṣipraṁ bhavetpitṝṇāṁ yo mamābhyudayakārakaḥ

'What shall I do? Where shall I go? How may I quickly take a wife who would bring about the prosperity my ancestors desire?'

Verse 4 (markandeya.96.4)

इति चिन्तयतस्तस्य मतिर्जाता महात्मनः । तपसाराधयाम्येनं ब्रह्माणं कमलोद्भवम् ॥ 96.4 ॥

iti cintayatastasya matirjātā mahātmanaḥ tapasārādhayāmyenaṁ brahmāṇaṁ kamalodbhavam

As that great soul pondered thus, the resolve arose in him: 'I shall propitiate, through austerity, that Brahma who is born of the lotus.'

Verse 5 (markandeya.96.5)

ततो वर्षशतं दिव्यं तपस्तेपे स वेधसम् । दिदृक्षुः सुचिरं कालं परं नियममास्थितः ॥ 96.5 ॥

tato varṣaśataṁ divyaṁ tapastepe sa vedhasam didṛkṣuḥ suciraṁ kālaṁ paraṁ niyamamāsthitaḥ

Then, desiring to behold the Creator, he practised austerity for a hundred divine years, observing the highest discipline for that long span.

Verse 6 (markandeya.96.6)

ततः स्वं दर्शयामास ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः । उवाच तं प्रसन्नोऽस्मीत्युच्यतामभिवाञ्छितम् ॥ 96.6 ॥

tataḥ svaṁ darśayāmāsa brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ uvāca taṁ prasanno 'smītyucyatāmabhivāñchitam

Then Brahma, grandfather of all worlds, showed himself to him and said: 'I am pleased; speak your heart's desire.'

Verse 7 (markandeya.96.7)

ततोऽसौ प्रणिपत्याह ब्रह्माणं जगतो गतिम् । पितॄणां वचनात्तेन यत्कर्तुमभिवाञ्छितम् । । ब्रह्मा चाह रुचिं विप्रं श्रुत्वा तस्याभिवाच्छितम् ॥ 96.7 ॥

tato 'sau praṇipatyāha brahmāṇaṁ jagato gatim pitṝṇāṁ vacanāttena yatkartumabhivāñchitam | brahmā cāha ruciṁ vipraṁ śrutvā tasyābhivācchitam

Then, bowing down, he told Brahma, the refuge of the world, what — in accordance with his ancestors' words — he wished to accomplish; and Brahma, hearing the brahmin Ruchi's desire, spoke to him.

Verse 8 (markandeya.96.8)

ब्रह्मोवाच प्रजापतिस्त्वं भविता स्रष्टव्या भवता प्रजाः । सृष्ट्वा प्रजाः सुतान्विप्र समुत्पाद्य क्रियास्तथा ॥ 96.8 ॥

brahmovāca prajāpatistvaṁ bhavitā sraṣṭavyā bhavatā prajāḥ sṛṣṭvā prajāḥ sutānvipra samutpādya kriyāstathā

Brahma said: You shall become a Prajapati, and creatures shall be created through you. Having brought forth beings and sons, O brahmin, and having performed the due rites,

Verse 9 (markandeya.96.9)

कृत्वा कृताधिकारस्त्वं ततः सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि । स त्वं यथोक्तं पितृभिः कुरु दारपरिग्रहम् ॥ 96.9 ॥

kṛtvā kṛtādhikārastvaṁ tataḥ siddhimavāpsyasi sa tvaṁ yathoktaṁ pitṛbhiḥ kuru dāraparigraham

and having thus fulfilled your charge, you shall then attain perfection. Therefore, as your ancestors have bidden you, take a wife.

Verse 10 (markandeya.96.10)

कामं चेममभिध्याय क्रियतां पितृपूजनम् । त एव तुष्टाः पितरः प्रदास्यन्ति तवेप्सितान् । । पत्नीं सुतांश्च सन्तुष्टाः किं न दद्युः पितामहाः ॥ 96.10 ॥

kāmaṁ cemamabhidhyāya kriyatāṁ pitṛpūjanam ta eva tuṣṭāḥ pitaraḥ pradāsyanti tavepsitān | patnīṁ sutāṁśca santuṣṭāḥ kiṁ na dadyuḥ pitāmahāḥ

Bearing this wish in mind, perform worship of your ancestors; those very ancestors, once pleased, will grant you your heart's desire. Once satisfied, what would your forefathers not give you — a wife, and sons besides?

Verse 11 (markandeya.96.11)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच इत्यृषेर्वचनं श्रुत्या ब्रह्मणोऽव्यक्तजन्मनः । नद्या विविक्ते पुलिने चकार पितृतर्पणम् ॥ 96.11 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca ityṛṣervacanaṁ śrutyā brahmaṇo 'vyaktajanmanaḥ nadyā vivikte puline cakāra pitṛtarpaṇam

Markandeya said: Having heard this word of Brahma, whose birth is unmanifest, the sage performed the tarpana offering to his ancestors on a lonely riverbank.

Verse 12 (markandeya.96.12)

तुष्टाव च पितॄन्विप्रः स्तवैरेभिस्तथादृतः । एकाग्रः प्रयतो भूत्वा भक्तिनम्रात्मकन्धरः ॥ 96.12 ॥

tuṣṭāva ca pitṝnvipraḥ stavairebhistathādṛtaḥ ekāgraḥ prayato bhūtvā bhaktinamrātmakandharaḥ

And that reverent brahmin, single-pointed of mind, purified, his neck bowed in devotion, praised his ancestors with these hymns.

Verse 13 (markandeya.96.13)

रुचिरुवाच नमस्येऽहं पितॄञ्छ्राद्धे ये वसन्त्यधिदेवताः । देवैरपि हि तर्प्यन्ते ये च श्राद्धे स्वधोत्तरैः ॥ 96.13 ॥

ruciruvāca namasye 'haṁ pitṝñchrāddhe ye vasantyadhidevatāḥ devairapi hi tarpyante ye ca śrāddhe svadhottaraiḥ

Ruchi said: I bow to those ancestors who dwell as presiding deities within the shraddha rite, and who are satisfied — even by the gods themselves — through offerings ending in the word 'svadha' during the shraddha.

Verse 14 (markandeya.96.14)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄन्स्वर्गे ये तर्प्यन्ते महर्षिभिः । श्राद्धैर्मनोमयैर्भक्त्या भुक्तिमुक्तिमभीप्सुभिः ॥ 96.14 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝnsvarge ye tarpyante maharṣibhiḥ śrāddhairmanomayairbhaktyā bhuktimuktimabhīpsubhiḥ

I bow to the ancestors in heaven who are satisfied by great sages — sages who, desiring both enjoyment and liberation, devotedly offer them mind-conceived oblations.

Verse 15 (markandeya.96.15)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄन्स्वर्गे सिद्धाः सन्तर्पयन्ति यान् । श्राद्धेषु दिव्यैः सकलैरुपहारैरनुत्तमैः ॥ 96.15 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝnsvarge siddhāḥ santarpayanti yān śrāddheṣu divyaiḥ sakalairupahārairanuttamaiḥ

I bow to the ancestors in heaven whom the Siddhas satisfy, in shraddha rites, with every kind of divine and most excellent offering.

Verse 16 (markandeya.96.16)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄन्भक्त्या येऽर्च्यन्ते गुह्यकैरपि । तन्मयत्वेन वाञ्छद्भिर्ऋद्धिमात्यन्तिकीं पराम् ॥ 96.16 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝnbhaktyā ye 'rcyante guhyakairapi tanmayatvena vāñchadbhirṛddhimātyantikīṁ parām

I bow to the ancestors who are worshipped with devotion even by the Guhyakas — who, becoming wholly absorbed in them, long for the highest, ultimate prosperity.

Verse 17 (markandeya.96.17)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄन्मर्त्यैरर्च्यन्ते भुवि ये सदा । श्राद्धेषु श्रद्धयाभीष्टलोकप्राप्तिप्रदायिनः ॥ 96.17 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝnmartyairarcyante bhuvi ye sadā śrāddheṣu śraddhayābhīṣṭalokaprāptipradāyinaḥ

I bow to the ancestors who are ever worshipped on earth by mortals, in shraddha rites, with faith — who grant the attainment of the desired world.

Verse 18 (markandeya.96.18)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄन्विप्रैरर्च्यन्ते भुवि ये सदा । वाञ्छिताभीष्टालाभाय प्राजापत्यप्रदायिनः ॥ 96.18 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝnviprairarcyante bhuvi ye sadā vāñchitābhīṣṭālābhāya prājāpatyapradāyinaḥ

I bow to the ancestors who are ever worshipped on earth by brahmins for the attainment of their heart's desire — who bestow the very status of a Prajapati.

Verse 19 (markandeya.96.19)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄन्ये वै तर्प्यन्तेऽरण्यवासिभिः । वन्यैः श्राद्धैर्यताहारैस्तपोनिर्धूतकिल्बिषैः ॥ 96.19 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝnye vai tarpyante 'raṇyavāsibhiḥ vanyaiḥ śrāddhairyatāhāraistaponirdhūtakilbiṣaiḥ

I bow to the ancestors who are satisfied by forest-dwellers, through forest offerings, offered by those of restrained diet whose sins have been shaken off by austerity.

Verse 20 (markandeya.96.20)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄन्विप्रैर्नैष्ठिकव्रतचारिभिः । ये संयतात्मभिर्नित्यं सन्तर्प्यन्ते समाधिभिः ॥ 96.20 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝnviprairnaiṣṭhikavratacāribhiḥ ye saṁyatātmabhirnityaṁ santarpyante samādhibhiḥ

I bow to the ancestors who are ever satisfied by brahmins observant of lifelong vows, of controlled self, through deep meditative absorption.

Verse 21 (markandeya.96.21)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄञ्छ्राद्धै राजन्यास्तर्पयन्ति यान् । कव्यैरशेषैर्विधिवल्लोकत्रयफलप्रदान् ॥ 96.21 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝñchrāddhai rājanyāstarpayanti yān kavyairaśeṣairvidhivallokatrayaphalapradān

I bow to the ancestors whom kshatriyas satisfy with shraddha offerings, with every oblation duly given — who grant the fruit of all three worlds.

Verse 22 (markandeya.96.22)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄन्वैश्यैरर्च्यन्ते भुवि ये सदा । स्वकर्माभिरतैर्नित्यं पुष्पधूपान्नवारिभिः ॥ 96.22 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝnvaiśyairarcyante bhuvi ye sadā svakarmābhiratairnityaṁ puṣpadhūpānnavāribhiḥ

I bow to the ancestors who are ever worshipped on earth by vaishyas devoted to their own duties, with flowers, incense, food and water.

Verse 23 (markandeya.96.23)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄञ्छ्राद्धैर्ये शूद्रैरपि भक्तितः । सन्तर्प्यन्ते जगत्यत्र नाम्ना ख्याताः सुकालिनः ॥ 96.23 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝñchrāddhairye śūdrairapi bhaktitaḥ santarpyante jagatyatra nāmnā khyātāḥ sukālinaḥ

I bow to the ancestors, known by the name Sukalins, who are satisfied in this world even by shudras through devoted shraddha offerings.

Verse 24 (markandeya.96.24)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄञ्छ्राद्धैः पाताले या महासुरैः । सन्तर्प्यन्ते स्वधाहारास्त्यक्तदम्भमदैः सदा ॥ 96.24 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝñchrāddhaiḥ pātāle yā mahāsuraiḥ santarpyante svadhāhārāstyaktadambhamadaiḥ sadā

I bow to the ancestors in Patala who feed on 'svadha' and are ever satisfied by the great asuras — who, having cast off pride and arrogance, offer them shraddha.

Verse 25 (markandeya.96.25)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄञ्छ्राद्धैरर्च्यन्ते ये रसातले । भोगैरशेषैर्विधिवन्नागैः कामानभीप्सुभिः ॥ 96.25 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝñchrāddhairarcyante ye rasātale bhogairaśeṣairvidhivannāgaiḥ kāmānabhīpsubhiḥ

I bow to the ancestors who are worshipped in Rasatala with shraddha rites by the Nagas — who, desiring various pleasures, duly offer every kind of enjoyment.

Verse 26 (markandeya.96.26)

नमस्येऽहं पितॄ्ञ्छ्राद्धैः सर्पैः सन्तर्पितान्सदा । तत्रैव विधिवन्मन्त्रभोगसम्पत्समन्वितैः ॥ 96.26 ॥

namasye 'haṁ pitṝñchrāddhaiḥ sarpaiḥ santarpitānsadā tatraiva vidhivanmantrabhogasampatsamanvitaiḥ

I bow to the ancestors who are ever satisfied, in that same realm, by serpents through shraddha rites duly accompanied by sacred formulas and abundant offerings.

Verse 27 (markandeya.96.27)

पितॄन्नमस्ये निवसन्ति साक्षाद्ये देवलोके च तथान्तरिक्षे । महीतले ये च सुरादिपूज्यास्ते मे प्रतीच्छन्तु मयोपनीतम् ॥ 96.27 ॥

pitṝnnamasye nivasanti sākṣādye devaloke ca tathāntarikṣe mahītale ye ca surādipūjyāste me pratīcchantu mayopanītam

I bow to the ancestors who dwell, visibly, in the world of the gods, and likewise in the atmosphere and on the surface of the earth — worshipped by the gods and others; may they accept this offering I have brought.

Verse 28 (markandeya.96.28)

पितॄन्नमस्ये परमात्मभूता ये वै विमाने निवसन्ति मूर्ताः । यजन्ति यानस्तमलैर्मनोभिर्योगीश्वराः क्लेशविमुक्तिहेतून् ॥ 96.28 ॥

pitṝnnamasye paramātmabhūtā ye vai vimāne nivasanti mūrtāḥ yajanti yānastamalairmanobhiryogīśvarāḥ kleśavimuktihetūn

I bow to the ancestors who, having become one with the Supreme Self, dwell embodied in celestial chariots — whom the great yogis worship with stainless minds, as the very means to release from suffering.

Verse 29 (markandeya.96.29)

पितॄन्नमस्ये दिवि ये च मूर्ताः स्वधाभुजः काम्यफलाभिसन्धौ । प्रदानशक्ताः सकलेप्सितानां विभुक्तिदा येऽनभिसंहितेषु ॥ 96.29 ॥

pitṝnnamasye divi ye ca mūrtāḥ svadhābhujaḥ kāmyaphalābhisandhau pradānaśaktāḥ sakalepsitānāṁ vibhuktidā ye 'nabhisaṁhiteṣu

I bow to the ancestors, embodied in heaven, who feed on svadha — capable of granting every desire to those bent upon its fruit, and who bestow complete enjoyment even upon those free of such intent.

Verse 30 (markandeya.96.30)

तृप्यन्तु तेऽस्मिन्पितरः समस्ता इच्छावतां ये प्रदिशन्ति कामान् । सुरत्वमिन्द्रत्वमतोऽधिकं वा सुतान्पशून्स्वानि बलं गृहाणि ॥ 96.30 ॥

tṛpyantu te 'sminpitaraḥ samastā icchāvatāṁ ye pradiśanti kāmān suratvamindratvamato 'dhikaṁ vā sutānpaśūnsvāni balaṁ gṛhāṇi

May all these ancestors be satisfied by this offering — they who grant the desires of those who wish for them: godhood, the rank of Indra, or something even higher, sons, cattle, their own strength, and dwellings.

Verse 31 (markandeya.96.31)

सोमस्य ये रश्मिषु येऽर्कबिम्बे शुक्ले विमाने च सदा वसन्ति । तृप्यन्तु तेऽस्मिन्पितरोऽन्नतोयैर्गन्धादिना पुष्टिमितो व्रजन्तु ॥ 96.31 ॥

somasya ye raśmiṣu ye 'rkabimbe śukle vimāne ca sadā vasanti tṛpyantu te 'sminpitaro 'nnatoyairgandhādinā puṣṭimito vrajantu

Those who dwell always in the rays of the Moon, in the orb of the Sun, and in the bright celestial chariot — may these ancestors be satisfied by this food and water, and attain nourishment through fragrance and the rest.

Verse 32 (markandeya.96.32)

येषां हतेऽग्नौ हविषा च तृप्तिर्ये भुञ्जते विप्रशरीरसंस्थाः । ये पिण्दानेन मुदं प्रयान्ति तृप्यन्तु तेऽस्मिन्पितरोऽन्नतोयैः ॥ 96.32 ॥

yeṣāṁ hate 'gnau haviṣā ca tṛptirye bhuñjate vipraśarīrasaṁsthāḥ ye piṇdānena mudaṁ prayānti tṛpyantu te 'sminpitaro 'nnatoyaiḥ

Those whose satisfaction comes from the oblation offered into the fire, who partake of food residing within the bodies of brahmins, and who attain joy through the offering of the rice-ball — may these ancestors be satisfied by this food and water.

Verse 33 (markandeya.96.33)

ये खड्गिमांसेन सुरैरभीष्टैः कृष्णैस्तिलैर्दिव्यमनोहरैश्च । कालेन शाकेन महर्षिवर्यैः सम्प्रीणितास्ते मुदमत्र यान्तु ॥ 96.33 ॥

ye khaḍgimāṁsena surairabhīṣṭaiḥ kṛṣṇaistilairdivyamanoharaiśca kālena śākena maharṣivaryaiḥ samprīṇitāste mudamatra yāntu

Those who are gladdened by rhinoceros-flesh dear to the gods, by wondrous, lovely black sesame, and by seasonal greens offered by the greatest of sages — may they attain joy here.

Verse 34 (markandeya.96.34)

कव्यान्यशेषाणि च यान्यभीष्टान्यतीव तेषाममरार्चितानाम् । तेषां तु सान्निध्यमिहास्तु पुष्पगन्धान्नभोज्येषु मया कृतेषु ॥ 96.34 ॥

kavyānyaśeṣāṇi ca yānyabhīṣṭānyatīva teṣāmamarārcitānām teṣāṁ tu sānnidhyamihāstu puṣpagandhānnabhojyeṣu mayā kṛteṣu

And whatever offerings, most dear to them, belong to those ancestors worshipped even by the immortals — may their very presence rest here, in these flowers, fragrances, foods and dishes I have prepared.

Verse 35 (markandeya.96.35)

दिने दिने ये प्रतिगृह्णतेऽर्च्चां मासांतपूज्यां भुवि येऽष्टकासु । ये वत्सरान्तेऽभ्युदये च पूज्याः प्रयान्तु ते मे पितरोऽत्र तृप्तिम् ॥ 96.35 ॥

dine dine ye pratigṛhṇate 'rccāṁ māsāṁtapūjyāṁ bhuvi ye 'ṣṭakāsu ye vatsarānte 'bhyudaye ca pūjyāḥ prayāntu te me pitaro 'tra tṛptim

Those who receive worship day by day, who are honoured on earth at month's end and in the Ashtaka rites, and who are worshipped at year's end and at times of prosperity — may my ancestors attain satisfaction here.

Verse 36 (markandeya.96.36)

पूज्या द्विजानां कुमुदेन्दुभासो ये क्षत्रियाणां च नवार्कवर्णाः । तथा विशां ये कनकावदाता नीलीनिभाः शूद्रजनस्य ये च ॥ 96.36 ॥

pūjyā dvijānāṁ kumudendubhāso ye kṣatriyāṇāṁ ca navārkavarṇāḥ tathā viśāṁ ye kanakāvadātā nīlīnibhāḥ śūdrajanasya ye ca

The ancestors of brahmins, worthy of worship, are hued like the water-lily and the moon; those of kshatriyas, like the newly risen sun; those of vaishyas, bright as gold; and those of shudra folk, dark as the blue lotus.

Verse 37 (markandeya.96.37)

तेऽस्मिन्समस्ता मम पुण्यगन्धधूपान्नतोयादिनिवेदनेन । तथाग्निहोमेन च यान्तु तृप्तिं सदा पितृभ्यः प्रणतोऽस्मि तेभ्यः ॥ 96.37 ॥

te 'sminsamastā mama puṇyagandhadhūpānnatoyādinivedanena tathāgnihomena ca yāntu tṛptiṁ sadā pitṛbhyaḥ praṇato 'smi tebhyaḥ

May all these attain satisfaction here through this offering of mine — sacred fragrance, incense, food, water and the rest — and likewise through the fire-oblation. I ever bow to those ancestors.

Verse 38 (markandeya.96.38)

ये देवपूर्वाण्यतितृप्तिहेतोरञ्जन्ति कव्यानि शुभाहुतानि । तृप्ताश्च ये भूतिसृजो भवन्ति तृप्यन्तु तेऽस्मिन्प्रणतोऽस्मि तेभ्यः ॥ 96.38 ॥

ye devapūrvāṇyatitṛptihetorañjanti kavyāni śubhāhutāni tṛptāśca ye bhūtisṛjo bhavanti tṛpyantu te 'sminpraṇato 'smi tebhyaḥ

Those who delight in oblations accompanied by auspicious offerings, for the utmost satisfaction of the gods and their forebears, and who, once satisfied, become the bestowers of prosperity — may they be satisfied by this; I bow to them.

Verse 39 (markandeya.96.39)

रक्षांसि भूतान्यसुरांस्तथोग्रान्निर्नाशयन्तस्त्वशिवं प्रजानाम् । आद्याः सुराणाममरेशपूज्या तृप्यन्तु तेऽस्मिन् प्रणतोऽस्मि तेभ्यः ॥ 96.39 ॥

rakṣāṁsi bhūtānyasurāṁstathogrānnirnāśayantastvaśivaṁ prajānām ādyāḥ surāṇāmamareśapūjyā tṛpyantu te 'smin praṇato 'smi tebhyaḥ

Those who destroy rakshasas, evil spirits, and fierce asuras — destroying whatever is inauspicious for created beings — foremost among the gods, worshipped by the very lord of the immortals — may they be satisfied by this; I bow to them.

Verse 40 (markandeya.96.40)

अग्निष्वात्ता बर्हिषद आज्यपाः सोमपास्तथा । व्रजन्तु तृप्तिं श्राद्धेऽस्मिन्पितरस्तर्पिता मया ॥ 96.40 ॥

agniṣvāttā barhiṣada ājyapāḥ somapāstathā vrajantu tṛptiṁ śrāddhe 'sminpitarastarpitā mayā

The Agnishvattas, the Barhishads, the Ajyapas, and likewise the Somapas — may these classes of ancestors, satisfied by me, attain contentment in this shraddha.

Verse 41 (markandeya.96.41)

अग्निष्वात्ताः पितृगणाः प्राचीं रक्षन्तु मे दिशम् । तथा बर्हिषदः पान्तु याम्यां ये पितरः स्मृताः ॥ 96.41 ॥

agniṣvāttāḥ pitṛgaṇāḥ prācīṁ rakṣantu me diśam tathā barhiṣadaḥ pāntu yāmyāṁ ye pitaraḥ smṛtāḥ

May the Agnishvatta class of ancestors guard my eastern quarter; and may the ancestors remembered as Barhishads protect the southern.

Verse 42 (markandeya.96.42)

प्रतीचीमाज्यपास्तद्वदुदीचीमपि सोमपाः । रक्षोभूतपिशाचेभ्यस्तथैवासुरदोषतः ॥ 96.42 ॥

pratīcīmājyapāstadvadudīcīmapi somapāḥ rakṣobhūtapiśācebhyastathaivāsuradoṣataḥ

May the Ajyapas likewise guard the west, and the Somapas the north, protecting me from rakshasas, evil spirits, ghouls, and the harm of asuras.

Verse 43 (markandeya.96.43)

सर्वतश्चाधिपस्तेषां यमो रक्षां करोतु मे । विश्वो विश्वभुगाराध्यो धर्मो धन्यः शुभाननः ॥ 96.43 ॥

sarvataścādhipasteṣāṁ yamo rakṣāṁ karotu me viśvo viśvabhugārādhyo dharmo dhanyaḥ śubhānanaḥ

And may Yama, the lord of them all, protect me from every side. Vishva, Vishvabhuj, Aradhya, Dharma, Dhanya, and Shubhanana —

Verse 44 (markandeya.96.44)

भूतिदो भूतिकृद्भूतिः पितॄणां ये गणा नव । कल्याणः कल्यताकर्त्ता कल्यः कल्यतराश्रयः ॥ 96.44 ॥

bhūtido bhūtikṛdbhūtiḥ pitṝṇāṁ ye gaṇā nava kalyāṇaḥ kalyatākarttā kalyaḥ kalyatarāśrayaḥ

and Bhutida, Bhutikrit, and Bhuti — these are the nine classes of the ancestors. Then Kalyana, Kalyatakartri, Kalya, Kalyatarashraya,

Verse 45 (markandeya.96.45)

कल्यताहेतुरनघः षडिमे ते गणाः स्मृताः । वरो वरेण्यो वरदः पुष्टिदस्तुष्टिदस्तथा ॥ 96.45 ॥

kalyatāheturanaghaḥ ṣaḍime te gaṇāḥ smṛtāḥ varo vareṇyo varadaḥ puṣṭidastuṣṭidastathā

Kalyataheru, and Anagha — these six classes are remembered. Then Vara, Varenya, Varada, Pushtida, and Tushtida —

Verse 46 (markandeya.96.46)

विश्वपाता तथा धाता सप्तैवैते तथा गणाः । महान्महात्मा महितो महिमावान्महाबलः ॥ 96.46 ॥

viśvapātā tathā dhātā saptaivaite tathā gaṇāḥ mahānmahātmā mahito mahimāvānmahābalaḥ

and Vishvapata, and Dhata — these form seven classes. Mahan, Mahatma, Mahita, Mahimavan, and Mahabala —

Verse 47 (markandeya.96.47)

गणाः पञ्च तथैवैते पितॄणां पापनाशनाः । सुखदो धनदश्चान्यो धर्मदोऽन्यश्च भूतिदः ॥ 96.47 ॥

gaṇāḥ pañca tathaivaite pitṝṇāṁ pāpanāśanāḥ sukhado dhanadaścānyo dharmado 'nyaśca bhūtidaḥ

these too are five sin-destroying classes of the ancestors. Sukhada, Dhanada, Dharmada, and Bhutida —

Verse 48 (markandeya.96.48)

पितॄणां कथ्यते चैतत्तथा गणचतुष्टयम् । एकत्रिंशत्पितृगणा यैर्व्याप्तमखिलं जगत् । । ते मेऽनुतृप्तास्तुष्यन्तु यच्छन्तु च सदा हितम् ॥ 96.48 ॥

pitṝṇāṁ kathyate caitattathā gaṇacatuṣṭayam ekatriṁśatpitṛgaṇā yairvyāptamakhilaṁ jagat | te me 'nutṛptāstuṣyantu yacchantu ca sadā hitam

these too are said to form a fourfold class of the ancestors. Thus there are thirty-one classes of ancestors, by whom this entire universe is pervaded. Satisfied by me, may they be pleased, and may they ever grant me what is good.